Friday, March 04, 2016

Sean H. Palmer has been named the new director of the Upperman African American Cultural Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, the university announced today. He will begin in his new role on May 30, 2016.

Palmer previously served as the assistant director of the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture at Duke University. While at Duke, Palmer advised several student organizations, managed and advised the National PanHellenic Council, planned academic lectures and events, and was a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students. He also served as director of student activities and residence life at Paine College in Augusta, GA.

“I’m very excited to welcome Mr. Palmer to the Upperman Center,” said Kent Guion, the university’s chief diversity officer. “His experience and leadership will contribute immensely to positioning the Upperman Center as a premier cultural center and a recognized UNCW asset.”

Palmer hopes to build upon the work of an engaging, dynamic center that supports students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater Wilmington community.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve both as an ambassador of the university and as a representative of the diverse staff and faculty who seek to create healthy spaces for students of African descent as they seek to positively contribute to Wilmington’s dynamic and historic Black community,” said Palmer.

Palmer earned his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, a master’s degree in African and African American Studies from Clark Atlanta University and a bachelor’s degree in English with double minors in African American studies and religious studies from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.

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The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is consistently recognized at a national level for academic excellence and affordability. UNCW is dedicated to learning through the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. A public institution with over 14,000 students, the university is widely acknowledged for its superb faculty and staff and a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry, critical thinking, thoughtful expression and responsible citizenship. UNCW offers an array of high-quality programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels, and doctoral programs in marine biology, educational leadership, psychology and nursing practice. The university is dedicated to offering a community rich in diversity and inclusion, global perspectives, and enriching the quality of life through scholarly community engagement in such areas as health, education, the economy, the environment, marine and coastal issues, and the arts.